Lars has gone to Knut

Today polar bear Lars has crossed the Rainbow Bridge and joined his son Knut.

The veterinarians found a big tumour in Lars’ liver and could only state there was no cure. The zoo had to take the hard decision to release the bear from the pain.

We all learnt to know Lars not only as Knut’s father but also as a very gentle male bear. We remember him living together with Nancy, Tosca and Katjuscha in Berlin, with Wilma in Wuppertal and Rostock and finally with Malik in Aalborg. He left us a wonderful inheritage in Anori, Fiete, Nuka and Quilak.

Thank you Lars for all the joy you brought us. We will miss you deeply!

Dear Mervi
I was fortunate to spend many days with Lars both
in Berlin and Aalborg.
Thank you for this tribute to an old friend.
I am pleased that I can remember my last photo of Lars
enjoying Malik’s scent message and resting on his rock like
Knut.

Dear Mervi!
Again we mourn the loss of a gorgeous and beloved male polar bear.
Thank you for this emotional and tender tribute for Lars.
There is nothing more to be said, you chose wonderful photos.
Yes, we will deeply miss this gentle and smart bear. He was a real female polar bear whisperer…

Bye-Bye beloved polar bear friend. I won’t forget you – your way to lie all relaxed on the rocks of the
large polar bear enclosure in ZOO BERLIN, nor will I forget your dear and handsome (as you and their mothers!) children.

After Knut’s passing I saw many clouds taking the shape of a polar bear. It was a great consolation because I wanted to believe they were messages from Knut telling me he was happy beyond pain and sorrow.

dear Mervi,
thank you for your tribute to Lars and for the collage,
dear Dumba thank you for the lovely collageand your words
Lars we will not forget you, you will be for ever a part of our Polar bear world
these are wonderful pictures by Gisela

Dear Lars, I will never forget you because you have left us with so many memories. When your son Knut was born, the entire world was charmed with the story of this little cub and his foster father. But for me, you have always been the BEAR. Your interaction with Thomas Dörflein was legendary. Whereas Knut was the baby needing his mother/father, the relationship between you and Mr. Dörflein was the one of two mature personalities. You were not only having the good looks, you were also very intelligent (remember the video made by Christina and the way to transport your pumpkin in the box). And you were also very funny (remember the day that you fell asleep on Kati’s back while doing – na ja, at least, trying to do – the big “tralala”). You were also “very cool” (remember a Winter Sunday in Berlin in 2009; there was no water in the moat and the ladies were still in their dens; you were alone on the enclosure but you were invisible; and whatever I tried, I could not find you; all of a sudden, I saw a young helper walking around and searching for you and Mr. Robke calling your name, but no Lars around. Until the moment we all saw you standing close to the wall, almost hidden for everybody and you looking up to us as if you wanted to say: hey folks, what is the trouble, I am here!!! Stay cool). But most of all, you were a gentle white giant. I recall you and the ladies (out of their den and having moods) and according to a lot of people, they were kind of mobbing you. Frankly said, even now, I am still wondering whether it was part of your and the ladies game to entertain us, but I never had the impression that there were hard feelings between you and the ladies. You were able to live with three women having a strong mind of their own. Then you had to move to Wuppertal to share a new life with Jerka and again, all went well until the moment, you both became very ill. Poor Jerka died but the keepers used all their powers and were able to rescue you. Then Wilma came, and again, you had a good relation with this girl and the result was a lovely baby, Anori. When you had to leave Wuppertal, your keepers were sad, but the keepers in Rostock were glad to welcome you. And there again, you enjoyed your life with Wilma, the sand bed and the goodies. And again, you gave us a wonderful gift: Fiete. Unfortunately, due to this little boy, you had to move to Aalborg and there you met Malik. And as usual, again no problem with this woman and again, lovely offspring. And again, the keepers adored your gentle nature.
Dear Lars, at the age of 26 years, it was noticed that you suffered of dental problems and your keepers wanted to help you to get rid of it. Unfortunately, they then discovered that you also were having severe liver cancer for which there was no cure. And it was at that moment that your keepers (who have always been your friends and who always wished the best for you) had to take the decision they hate the most in their life. To prevent you from suffering, they had to say “farewell”.
I will never forget you.